A Study on the Role of Artificial Intelligence in the Automated Detection of Cyberbullying and Its Criminal Law Considerations

The rapid evolution of digital communication platforms has facilitated an unprecedented expansion of social interaction, but it has also enabled new forms of digital misconduct. Among these, cyberbullying has emerged as a pervasive and psychologically damaging phenomenon, particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as adolescents, women, and minorities. Unlike traditional forms of bullying, cyberbullying operates through anonymity, permanence of digital content, and widespread visibility, posing complex challenges for criminal justice systems across jurisdictions. In response to these challenges, Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies have been increasingly utilized to detect harmful content, analyze behavioral patterns, and identify aggressive communications in real time. By employing natural language processing, image recognition, and behavioral analytics, AI systems can automate the identification of cyberbullying incidents with remarkable speed and scale. However, the integration of AI in criminal justice raises profound legal and ethical concerns, including the admissibility of algorithm-generated evidence, the problem of accountability in cases of false identification, risks of bias in automated decision-making, and potential infringements on privacy and due process rights. This article aims to critically examine the dual potential of AI as a tool for cybercrime detection and a source of legal complexity. Through a comparative analysis of legal frameworks in Germany, the United States, and France, it explores how advanced legal systems have attempted to reconcile technological efficiency with fundamental human rights protections. The study concludes by offering tailored recommendations for Iranian criminal policy, emphasizing the need for transparent regulation, human oversight of AI decisions, and the preservation of individual liberties in the age of algorithmic justice.

Keywords:

Artificial Intelligence , Cyberbullying , Criminal Justice , Algorithmic Evidence , Legal Responsibility , Digital Rights